Dubai’s AI World Series reveals finalists

AI World Series names 26 finalists shortlisted for more than 60 awards entries

#UAE #awards - The Dubai-based Artificial Intelligence for Business Institute has announced 26 finalists shortlisted for more than 60 awards entries for the third annual AI World Series Awards. This year’s entries span 14 categories from AI Solution of the Year to Best Use of Data & AI in Real Estate. Finalists include ADNOC Distribution, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Economy and Tourism, Saudi food group Savola, and Czech bank Česká Spořitelna, with entries now going through scoring by independent expert judges ahead of the awards ceremony in Dubai on 8 October, hosted by Dubai Silicon Oasis. Middle East AI News is the media partner for the 2026 awards.

SO WHAT? - Global AI spending is set to hit $2.59 trillion in 2026, rising 47 percent year-on-year according to Gartner, yet the number of platforms actually validating which projects deliver real returns remains extremely limited. That gap gives the AI World Series real weight, as enterprises begin to flex their spending power on agentic automation and multistep AI workflows. With more and more enterprises moving from pilot projects to broad implementation, third-party recognition helps identify where real value is being generated. Staging the ceremony at Dubai Silicon Oasis also reinforces Dubai's position as an increasingly important global hub for AI firms.

KEY POINTS:

• The AI for Business Institute announced 26 finalists entering more than 60 awards entries across 14 categories for the third annual AI World Series Awards, with winners to be revealed at a ceremony in Dubai on 8 October 2026, hosted by Dubai Silicon Oasis. The awards is supported by Dtec, CX Arabia, Start2 Group and NRS Marketing. Middle East AI News is the media partner for the 2026 awards.

• Finalists for this year’s awards include ADNOC Distribution, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Dubai Economy and Tourism, Saudi food and agriculture group Savola, its subsidiary Afia, Czech bank Česká Spořitelna, and German pharmaceutical firm QIAGEN.

• ADNOC Distribution appears as a finalist in four categories: AI Solution of the Year, Best Use of AI for Business Transformation, Best Use of AI for Operational Excellence, and Best Conversational AI Implementation. Meanwhile, Česká Spořitelna appears in five awards categories.

• The 14 awards categories are:

  • AI Solution of the Year

  • Best use of AI for Business Transformation

  • Best use of AI for Operational Excellence

  • Best AI Enabled Product or Platform

  • Data, Analytics & AI Insights

  • Best use of AI in Marketing

  • Best Use of AI in Education

  • Best AI Ethics, Governance & Responsible AI

  • Best Use of AI in Risk, Fraud or Security

  • Best AI for Customer Experience/Engagement

  • Best AI Innovation Startup / Emerging Company

  • Best Conversational AI Implementation

  • Best Proptech Innovation

  • Best Use of Data & AI in Real Estate

• All entries are now being scored by large panels of independent expert judges using a certified methodology ahead of the October ceremony.

• The Institute has also launched the AI for Business Institute Honours, a separate, non-competitive programme recognising organisations for specific, stated AI achievements rather than ranking them against each other.

• Middle Eastern participants secured nine category wins at last year’s awards.

• The AI for Business Institute was established in 2024 to bridge technical AI development and commercial application, offering self-assessment tools and independent consultancy for business leaders.

[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]

Source: AI World Series / AI for Business Institute

LINKS

• AI World Series (website)

Note: Middle East AI News is the media partner for the AI World Series awards.

Read more about the AI World Series Awards:

• Dubai to host 2026 AI World Series Awards (Middle East AI News)

• Winners named by AI World Series Awards (Middle East AI News)

• AI World Series Awards announces 78 global finalists (Middle East AI News)

• Deadline looms for this year’s AI World Series Awards (Middle East AI News)

• Institute launched to bridge gap between AI & business (Middle East AI News)